Life as we know it is on hold for the foreseeable future, but that hasn’t stopped Louisville football players and coaches from getting some work in.
This is a tough time for all Americans, but that doesn’t mean that we have to completely break away from our everyday lives. For Louisville football players and coaching staff, this time of social distancing can still be used for self-betterment.
Last season, we saw where the Cardinals coaching staff- particularly strength and conditioning coach Mike Sirignano- were taking to social media to challenge players and hold them accountable for offseason workouts.
This year is obviously a little different. School and all NCAA activities were canceled, in-person recruiting is postponed, and everything that the coaching staff had been building and preparing for in 2020 will have to be restructured.
However, that has not stopped the staff from challenging the players to think outside the box and still find some ways to push some weight around.
CARD NATION #ROLLcall 6 rounds 75 yards sled, 15 Med ball slam, 10ea DB row. Followed by 15 lat raise, 15 press, 15 push-up, 6 Med ball slam, 16 Dom lunges, 10 high row. @UofLFootball #SaturdaysAreForCircuits. #WashYourHands Where’s @Coach_Ledford @coach_norv @CoachB_BROWN pic.twitter.com/fgNdunojnP
— Mike Sirignano (@IRON_CoachMike) March 28, 2020
Following Sirignano’s example, the players have been getting after it in whatever way they can.
Defensive end Ja’Darien Boykin is ready to have his breakout season for the Cards.
This how I feel about the upcoming season 🦍‼️ pic.twitter.com/adve9N5Cyy
— ❗️J.Boykin ❗️ (@JadarienB) March 28, 2020
Javian Hawkins‘ freshman year saw him gain the most yards on the ground in a single season of any player in school history. But he’s ready to take it a step further in 2020.
https://twitter.com/EjMayes23/status/1243905673252999168?s=20
These sand workouts that Hawkins’ father is putting him through are making me tired just watching.
https://twitter.com/EjMayes23/status/1243359958684467200?s=20
Starting quarterback Micale Cunningham took a massive step forward in 2019, and he’s not ready to surrender the starting job next season.
Pain Is Only Temporary 😤 @IRON_CoachMike @UofLFootball pic.twitter.com/7IiHMbxYN3
— Malik Cunningham (@MalikMalikc10) March 27, 2020
A lot of players haven’t been able to get into the gym during this period of national shutdowns, so they had to get creative.
Introducing the car push challenge.
Cunningham appears to still be working with Sirignano in Louisville, and though Campus is shut down, that doesn’t mean he can’t push some weight in the parking lot.
Sleep For The Rich We Working 🤫 pic.twitter.com/Kdb0Bzs3vK
— Malik Cunningham (@MalikMalikc10) March 27, 2020
Plenty of players, who returned to their homes around the country, have done the same.
Linebacker Zay Peterson is grinding.
Coronavirus can’t stop nothing at all I’m still working‼️@UofLFootball pic.twitter.com/nIHzqRHMLQ
— Zay Peterson (@ZayPeterson) March 27, 2020
Defensive back Lovie Jenkins followed suit.
https://twitter.com/Lovie1k/status/1243689713317404673?s=20
Incoming linebacker Kameron Wilson wanted in on the action.
https://twitter.com/Kameron00074791/status/1243920898668756992?s=20
Running backs coach Norval McKenzie is finding creative ways to join in.
https://twitter.com/coach_norv/status/1243967739338915841?s=20
Coach McKenzie, in general, might be the most fun coach to follow along with on social media.
https://twitter.com/coach_norv/status/1243920397285941248?s=20
Regardless of whether or not the 2020 season goes off without a hitch, Louisville football is going to be ready.